Scraper roll clearer



Oct. 29, 1968 A. GA LASSI 3,407,428

S CRAPER ROLL CLEARER Filed July 12, 1965 ENTOR A 1.0 GALASSI ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent "ice 3,407,428 SCRAPER ROLL CLEARER Angelo Galassi, Milan, Italy, assignor to Pneumafil Corporation, Charlotte, N.C., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 12, 1965, Ser. No. 471,190 5 Claims. (Cl. 15-256.51)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A roll clearer for removing foreign matter from the surface of the processing rolls of textile machinery, or the like, in which the clearer is constructed with a simply renewable wiper surface by forming the clearer of a flexible walled tubular wiper member arranged with a portion of the tubular wiper member within a slotted cylindrical sleeve which constrains the tubular wiper member into a figure 8 configuration with one lobe within the sleeve and another lobe extending externally thereof. A spreader rod within the wiper tube lobe in the sleeve secures the wiper tube in position. In use, renewal of the wiper surface is accomplished by sliding the wiper tube about the spreader rod.

Background of the invention This invention relates to the art of clearing textile processing rolls of foreign matter, more particularly to an improved construction for such roll clearers permitting the ready renewal of the wiping surface.

A variety of structures have been evolved implementing the clearing of the surfaces of the processing rolls of textile fabricating machinery so as to remove from the processing rolls any accumulation of material which may interfere with their processing action. Thus, roll clearers of the type here under discussion have been developed for use with pneumatic cleaning equipment. These roll clearers generally comprise a wiping member of a flexible material which is positioned to contact the surface of the roll to be cleared, so that as the roll rotates any foreign matter entrained on the roll surface is removed by contact with the wiping member. These wiping members take a variety of forms, and generally are shaped to extend along the axis of the roll along a line or area of contact. With time due to the friction between the rotating roll surface and the wiping member, the wiping member wears out or becomes distorted, requiring replacement. Since previously evolved clearers generally comprise a relatively elongated wiping element mounted on a rigid support in which the wiping element is secured to the support by means of a plurality of spaced fastening members, replacement of the wiping element requires separation of the wiping element from the support by detaching the fastening member. Thereafter the replaced wiping element must be carefully positioned and adjusted to obtain desired clearing effects. This involves a relatively time consuming and expensive procedure.

Summary of the invention It is with the above problems and desiderata in mind that the present clearer construction has been evolved, a clearer construction providing an improved technique for supporting a wiping element with respect to a roll surface so that the wiping surface may be readily renewed with little effort and expense.

It is accordingly one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an improved construction for roll clearers permitting ready renewal of the wiping surface.

A further object of the invention is to provide an im- Patented Oct. 29, 1968 proved roll clearer construction permitting ready mounting of a flexible wiping element.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved clearer construction in which the wiping element of the clearer may readily be changed with minimum effort.

These and other objects of the invention which will become hereafter apparent are achieved by forming a roll clearer with a wiping element made up of flexible sheet material having two spaced side walls flexibly movable with respect to each other, and joined by an arcuate portion. This wiping element is preferably made up of an elongate flexible walled tube. A holder is provided for the wiping element which engages the side wall of the wiping element and urges the side walls together so as to bend them along a curve having a center of curvature externally of the space between the wiping element side walls. An elongate slotted pipe or sleeve is found particularly suitable for use as a holder. Arranged between the side walls of the wiping element at a point remote from the free edge of the wiping element on the side opposite the line of inward urging of the wiping element by the holder, is a spreader which is preferably formed by means of a rod dimensioned to extend within the pipe employed as a holder.

A feature of the invention resides in the fact that the wiping element may readily be removed from the holder, and repositioned to provide a renewed wiping surface without the use of special tools, or the exercise of particular skills.

Brief description of the drawing The specific details of the invention, and their mode of functioning, will be made most manifest and particularly pointed out in clear, concise and exact terms in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional elevational view of a clearer made in accordance with the teachings of this invention shown in operative position with respect to a textile processing roll; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1 showing the clearer in the process of installation With respect to a textile processing roll, and illustrating the relationship between the wiping element and the holder for the wiping element; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a support for the clearer; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 through the support; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, illustrating another arrangement for supporting the clearer.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring now more particularly to the drawings, like numerals in the various figures will be taken to designate like parts.

As seen in the drawings, the clearer 10 comprises a wiping element 11, as best seen in FIG. 2. Wiping ele ment 11, as illustrated, is formed of a flexible sheet material having two spaced side walls 12 and 13 joined by an arcuate wiping portion 15. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the wiping element 11 is preferably made up of an elongate tube.

The wiping tube 11 is contained within a holder 20 having two spaced holder portions 21 and 22 which extend along the exterior surface of wiping elements side walls 12 and 13 to urge them together, bending the side walls 12 and 13 along a curve having a center of curvature externally of the space between the side walls 12 and 13. As a result of this inward urging of the side walls 12 and 13, the wiping tube 11 is forced into the FIGURE 8 configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 with a free upper wiping lobe 25, and an anchoring lobe 26. Holder 20 is preferably formed by means of an elongated slotted pipe member. The slot 27 (as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2) separates the holder portions 21 and 22 urging the side walls 12 and 13 on wiper 11 towards each other. Holder portions 21 and 22 are formed with rounded edges minimizing the abrasive effect of the holder portions 21 and 22 on the two side walls 12 and 13.

In order to insure desired positioning of the wiping element 11 with respect to the holder 20, a spreader 30, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and is provided. Spreader 30 is preferably made in the form of an elongate rod having a cross-sectional dimension such as to fit within holder 20 with suflicient clearance to permit wiper element 11 to be sandwiched between the exterior surface of spreader 30 and the interior surfaces of holder 20 as best seen in FIG. 1.

Mounting of the clearer for operative use may be accomplished in a variety of ways. According to one embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a support block 35 is provided with a spreader seat 36 dimensioned to receive the free end of spreader 30. A tapped recess 37 is provided in support block 35, with set screw 38 threadedly engaging in the threaded recess 37 to bear against spreader rod 30, as best seen in FIG. 4.

Slotted holder sleeve is formed with an extension 40 which in the illustrated embodiment is contoured as an arcuate segment of the circular holder. Extension 40 lies beneath the cam shoulder 39 of support block 35 and against the wall of the support block, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5, an alternative support arrangement is shown. According to the support arrangement shown in FIG. 5, a support block 535 is arranged adjacent each extremity of the clear 10. The spreader rod is formed with flattened extension 536 at each end thereof, having a surface adapted to lie flush against the surface of support block 535. A flange plate 538 is secured to the extension 536 by means of a screw or the like fastening member 539. Upstanding from this flange plate 538 is a flange 540 arranged to lie 'within the slot 27 of slotted holder sleeve 20, while according to this embodiment of the invention only extends up to the support block 535.

Operation In use the aforedescribed clearer structure 10 finds particular applicability in clearing the surface of drafting and delivery rolls of textile machines, where pneumatic cleaning equipment is employed to draw away the foreign matter removed from the rolls by the clearers.

The clearer 10 is positioned adjacent the rolls R to be cleared such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the wipping lobe 25 of the wiping member 11 arranged to contact the surface of the roll to be cleared. Desired. positioning of the clearer member 10 so that the wiping lobe 25 is in a desired operative position is accomplished by arranging the clearer 10 on the support or 535 in conventional fashion. The wiping lobe 25 of wiping element 11 flexes with respect to the support sleeve 20, and is moved under the rotational action of roll R to the position shown in FIG. 1. Due to the anchoring effect of spreader rod 30, which is apparent to those skilled in the art, the wiping element 11 is securely held with respect to support sleeve 20. Additionally the spreader rod is anchored at its ends in the support blocks, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5.

With time, the surface of wiping lobe 25 in contact with roll R becomes worn, and desired clearing is adversely affected. At such time, renewal of the clearing surface is accomplished, in the case of the FIGS. 3 and 4 embodiments of the invention, by loosening set screw 38, and removing spreader rod 30 from the support block 35, and rotating the wiping element 11 so as to position a new portion of the wiping elements in the wiping lobe configuration 25. Thereafter the spreader rod 30 is reinserted into the support block 35 and the set screw tightened. Desired positioning of the wiping lobe 25 with respect to roll R is insured by virtue of the fact that the slot 27 through which the wiping lobe 25 extends is maintained in a relatively fixed position due to the fact that the extension 38 at the end of the holder sleeve 20 are maintained in a fixed position against the shoulder 39 of the support block 35.

In connection with the FIG. 5 embodiment of the invention, the slot 27 is maintained in desired fixed position by virtue of flange 540 which is fixed in position with respect to the support block and the rolls to be cleared thereby insuring the fact that upon repositioning of the wiping elements 11, the position of the slot 27 is maintained in its desired initial orientation.

It is thus seen that a simple clearer construction has been provided in which a wiping element of the clearer may have its active surfaces replaced as desired, without the exercise of particular skills or requiring the utilization of particular tools in the adjustment of the clearer.

The above disclosure has been given by way of illustration and eucidation, and not by way of limitation, and it is desired to protect all embodiments of the herein disclosed inventive concept within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A roll clearer for removing foreign matter from the surface of the processing rolls of textile machinery or the like, said roll clearer comprising: an elongate flexible walled tubular wiping element; an elongate slotted pipelike holder sleeve within which said tubular wiping element is positioned with a portion of said wiping element extending through the slot of said holder sleeve, the spacing between the holder portions adjacent the slot being such as to urge the side walls of said tubular wiping element towards each other to contour the wiping element into a figure 8 cross-section with the portion of the wiping element extending from the holder providing a wiping lobe, and the portion within the holder providing an anchoring lobe; a spreader rod in said anchoring lobe of said wiping element in said holder, said spreader rod dimensioned to sandwich the anchoring lobe between said spreader rod and the interior of said holder sleeve, the spacing between said rod and said holder sleeve being approximately one and one-half times the thickness of said wiping element.

2. A roll clearer for removing foreign matter from the surface of the processing rolls of textile machinery or the like, said roll clearer comprising an elongate flexible walled tubular wiping element; an elongate slotted pipelike holder sleeve within which said tubular wiping element is positioned with a portion of said wiping element extending through the slot of said holder sleeve, the spacing between the holder portions adjacent the slot being such as to urge the side walls of said tubular wiping element towards each other to contour the wiping element into a figure 8 cross-section with the portion of the wiping element extending from the holder providing a wiping lobe, and the portion within the holder providing an anchoring lobe, the width of the slot in said holder sleeve being between 3 and 5 times the thickness of the wiping element tube wall.

3. A roll clearer for removing foreign matter from the surface of the processing rolls of textile machinery or the like, said roll clearer comprising an elongate flexible walled tubular wiping element; an elongate slotted pipelike holder sleeve within which said tubular wiping element is positioned with a portion of said wiping element extending through the slot of said holder sleeve, the spacing between the holder portions adjacent the slot being such as to urge the side walls of said tubular wiping element towards each other to contour the wiping element into a figure 8 cross-section with the portion of the wiping element extending from the holder providing a wiping lobe, and the portion within the holder providing an anchoring lobe; a spreader rod inserted in said anchoring lobe of said wiping element in said holder, with said spreader rod dimensioned to sandwich the anchoring lobe between said spreader rod and the interior of said holder 5 sleeve; and supports at each end of said clearer, said supports engaging the ends of said spreader rod.

4. A roll clearer as in claim 3 in which said support is provided with a seat in which the end of said spreader rod is received; and an extension is formed on said holder sleeve engaging said support in a fixed orientation.

5. A roll clearer as in claim 3 in which said spreader rod is formed with flattened extensions engaging said support, and a flange plate is secured with respect to said flattened portion, said flange plate having a flange engaging in the slot of said holder sleeve.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

LEON G. MACHLIN, Assistant Examiner. 

